Graduate Certificate in Small Business Management

What is this course about?

The course is specifically designed for new and established small business owners and managers who wish to enhance their management knowledge with the latest thinking in small business management.

Why study this degree?

CSU's Graduate Certificate in Small Business Management is an industry-focused, flexible and dynamic alternative in postgraduate studies.

The small business sector accounts for 96% of total businesses in Australia, but more than half of small businesses fail within three years of start-up. Why?

Research indicates that one of the primary reasons for small business failure is the lack of management expertise.

CSU's Graduate Certificate in Small Business Management has a strong emphasis on personal development and industry best practice. The course offers students access to industry peers, market leaders and other leading resources. Students are able to build a personalised learning structure via the flexible, online learning platform.

CSU's Graduate Certificate in Small Business Management offers small business operators an opportunity to:

• enhance your existing knowledge and experience
• enhance successful business practice with industry engagement
• increase your business performance
• study flexibly with minimal disruption to your business.

More reasons to do this degree

Workplace learning

A key feature of the Graduate Certificate in Small Business is its applied nature. Students will be required to link theory with their own professional experience as they study in each subject. Assessments are directed towards students undertaking projects and assessment tasks they can utilise in their small business.

Flexible learning

"Informal learning by itself runs the risk of restricting people to old ways of thinking and working." (Figgers et al, 2001)

At CSU, we understand that many small business owners / managers value ongoing education. We also understand that many small business managers learn informally and often on an "as needs" basis. This course is designed to complement previous informal training by challenging existing knowledge, thereby providing opportunities for business innovation.

More information about flexible learning

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.

More reasons to study this degree

The course provides industry-focused, flexible studies for small business operators. The course requires completion of three core subjects in marketing, human resources, and strategy, and one elective subject that enables students to tailor the course to their needs. A key component of study is the linkage of theory with current issues in small business and the student's own small business setting.

The course offers students a unique opportunity to network with industry peers and to develop alliances. The industry-aligned structure of the course enables students to learn and share processes with others. Students will be assigned to business-cycle clusters (e.g. start-up or growth) within their industry sector which provides networking opportunities and direct application of knowledge. The use of action learning processes means students can benchmark their current business processes and develop practical insights to create the desired future state of their business.

Workplace Learning

A key feature of the Graduate Certificate in Small Business is its applied nature. Students will be required to link theory with  their own professional experience as they study in each subject. Assessments are directed towards students undertaking projects and assessment tasks they can utilise in their small business.

Flexible learning

Subjects from the Graduate Certificate in Small Business Management are available for Single Subject Study. Single Subject Study gives you a flexible study option with the ability to build your own qualification.

An advantage of online study is that it offers a rich learning environment with use of case studies, online lectures and discussion forums. You will have access to an extensive online library of text and video-based resources at your fingertips.

As with all CSU's courses, the Graduate Certificate in Small Business Management is designed and delivered with study flexibility in mind. You can choose from full-time and part-time study options to fit in with work and lifestyle commitments. You can do one or two subjects per session part-time, or you can fast-track and complete the course in one year full-time.

Career opportunities

Improve business performance

The characteristics of the small business sector in Australia are diverse. The Australian Bureau of Statistics has estimated that at least 96% of all Australian non-agricultural private businesses are small businesses, in that they have fewer than 20 employees. Data from the National Centre for Vocational Education and Research (NCVER) indicate the majority of small business owners / managers have undertaken some form of tertiary education. However, the NCVER report also notes that the lack of management expertise is the most important factor in the failure of small businesses.

Whatever business you are in and whatever business cycle you are currently at (start-up, crisis/survival, growth) you need to have knowledge and skills in small business management. This course provides opportunities to leverage your existing knowledge to enhance the performance of your business.

The course also offers business practitioners who service the small business sector with a unique insight into how they operate. This knowledge can provide a competitive advantage for small business service providers, which could improve their business performance.

Credit / pathways

Candidates may receive transfer credit for up to 50% of the course for prior study if they can demonstrate that such study was completed at a recognised higher education institution within the last 10 years, at postgraduate level. To apply for credit, candidates are required to submit, with their application for admission, a certified transcript of results and subject outline / curriculum of those subjects.

Students who have completed the Graduate Certificate in Small Business Management will receive credit for the subjects studied into the Master of Business and some other courses. Specific credits will be determined when the application is received.

More information about credit and pathways.

Admission requirements

For entry into this course, applicants are required to have an undergraduate degree from a recognised Australian tertiary institution and/or an equivalent professional qualification.

The University will also accept applicants who do not hold an undergraduate degree but who are small business owners or managers with suitable experience.

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

English language proficiency

The University has minimum requirements for English language proficiency prior to entry to our courses. Some courses also have a requirement for a higher entry or exit level of English proficiency. More information on English language requirements.

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